Builds the Multi-Camera Array Microscope, a parallel imaging platform using micro-camera arrays, structured lighting and machine learning to capture cellular-level detail across hundreds of square centimeters at once.
At a glance
- Founded: 2018
- HQ: Durham
- Sector: Biotech
- Stage: Series A
- Total raised: $26.8M
- Affiliation: Duke
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Sourced company notes 5 topics
Notes on Ramona Optics · last checked Oct 1, 2026
Overview
Durham instrument maker spun out of Roarke Horstmeyer's Computational Optics Lab at Duke and incorporated in 2018, founded with Mark Harfouche after both finished at Caltech. The company is mid-rebrand and presents as Ramona on its current site while remaining Ramona Optics, Inc. with the SEC.
Product
The core technology is the Multi-Camera Array Microscope (MCAM), which images across large areas at cellular resolution simultaneously rather than tiling a single objective. Three products ship: Vireo for live-cell imaging, Kestrel for small model organisms such as zebrafish and fruit fly larvae, and MCAM Software for multiwell analysis.
Funding
Three Form D filings disclose $27,877,361 sold in total; the most recent, filed 2026-03-12, accounts for $26,037,360 across 32 investors and carries no round label.
Customers
Publishes customer testimonials from Regeneron, UCSF, the Max Planck Institute, Oregon State, and UNC. Its Form D filings decline to disclose a revenue range.
Duke lab
The same Duke lab has two further spinouts, MIRA Inc. (2019) and AiriLabs LLC (2021).
Where the team studied
Filter the directory by schoolDuke University
- Roarke HorstmeyerAlumB.S. (2006), Physics and JapaneseSource
- Roarke HorstmeyerFacultyProfessor of Biomedical EngineeringSource
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Listed roles
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